London - Are you looking forward to donning your heels for New Year’s Eve? Or secretly dreading hobbling home a few hours later with bleeding and aching feet?
The wrong footwear can cause short-term pain and long-term problems. Here, consultant podiatrist Emma Supple outlines the problems of different party shoes.
Painful pointy toes
The shoe: There are plenty of elegant pointy shoes — from embellished low heels to sky-high leopard print.
Expert diagnosis:‘Toes are being squashed into an area that is far too small. Most people can tolerate a couple of hours before feeling discomfort, though some find pain starts within half an hour.
“Wear such shoes too often and potentially you could develop long-term problems. Hammer toes occur when the three middle toes are pushed in so often that they become painfully deformed and bent in towards each other.
“You even need to be aware of heavy jewellery on the end of shoes. The weight on top of toes can bruise toenails.”
Why not try: Wear pointy-toed shoes rarely. When you’re walking around the house, slip on a pair of yoga sandals, which separate the toes and strengthen the foot.
Pump bump
The shoe: Pumps are the most sensible shoes around — right? Round toe, rarely too high and usually wide-fitting with a solid round heel.
Expert diagnosis: This style of shoe is often made of rigid leather which can chafe the heel and lead to “pump bump”. This starts as an irritation and can cause blisters after just one night on the dance floor.
Over time in younger feet, the pressure can develop into a permanent bony protrusion or lump known as Haglund’s deformity. If bony bumps form, you must see a podiatrist — they may need to be surgically removed.
Why not try: Scholl Party Feet heel shields for short-term protection from rubbing.
Platform strain
The shoe: Platform shoes come in all forms: a high heel and a thick sole; or flatforms, where you walk on a flat platform.
Expert diagnosis: You may feel more secure in these shoes and less likely to wobble after a cranberry and vodka, but you’re actually just as unstable as in heels.
Many people develop a sort of stomping walk in platforms, which puts pressure on the joints. This can lead to very sore feet, calluses and arch pain.
Some platforms are heavy and the extra weight is going to strain leg muscles. The solid nature of the sole means the foot is unable to bend properly so you may suffer immediate foot pain.
Why not try: Ensure the platform is made of a light material such as cork and that the shoe is strapped or buckled on for extra stability.
Stiletto sprains
The shoe: A super narrow heel can be as ludicrously high as 4 in and will feel like balancing on stilts.
Expert diagnosis: It’s not normal to walk around on tiptoes. The unstable heel means you are much more likely to trip and sprain your ankle.
The most common type of sprain is where the foot rolls inwards and the ankle out, causing pain and swelling to ligaments on the outside of the ankle.
An additional quarter of your body weight is thrown on to the ball of your foot for every inch of height of your heel, so there’s increased pressure on the ball of the foot.
Long-term, there’s an increased risk of osteoarthritis in the knees from poor posture, back problems and permanent damage to the Achilles tendon, which runs up the back of the leg and is shortened if you wear heels the whole time.
Why not try: If you insist on wearing stilettos, it’s vital to stand correctly. Tuck in your tailbone and walk with a smaller stride.
To extend your comfort time in your favourite high heels, use orthotics — these are small shoe inserts that transfer your weight from the front to the back of the shoe.
Friction in flats
The shoe:2015 has been the year of flat shoes and the trend for moccasins and brogues sees no sign of abating in the New Year.
Expert diagnosis: You’d think flat shoes would be good for your feet and posture. But lack of support for the arches and not enough cushioning can be damaging.
Flats can cause friction on the heel, Achilles tendon and toes, resulting in blisters, corns and calluses. Painful fallen arches — or flat feet — can be exacerbated by bad, flat footwear.
Why not try: Marks & Spencer has the podiatrist-designed Insolia range of shoes, which are proven to reduce pressure on the foot. They come in flat and high heels.
Even adding a small heel lift can make a remarkable difference.
Backless bruises
The shoe: Backless high heels are fashionable and popular for parties because they make legs look longer.
Expert diagnosis: As toes clench to get support, there’s the risk of short-term pain. You can also develop calluses, bruises and cracked skin because the shoe is constantly tapping the heel and there’s no ankle support. I call this “heel beating”.
A 2010 study found that women who wore high heels five times a week for two years had calf muscles that were 13 percent shorter and Achilles tendons that were stiffer and thicker than those of women who wore flats.
Why not try: Compeed Cracked Heel Cream contains urea and lactic acid for intense moisturisation. And go without tights. There’s natural grip if you’re barefoot compared to slipping around in nylons.
Daily Mail